Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes a red scaly, itchy rash. It can appear as a mild, white scaling or a yellowish greasy or reddish scaly rash. Most commonly affected areas are along the hairline, in and behind the ears, on the eyebrows, around the nose, and on the chest. Dandruff is a type of seborrheic dermatitis where there is a scaling of the skin on the scalp. The area can be dry or oily and is sometimes itchy.

Causes

The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, though common skin yeast organisms, called Malassezia, may play a role in some people.

Definition

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes a red scaly, itchy rash. It can appear as a mild, white scaling or a yellowish greasy or reddish scaly rash. Most commonly affected areas are along the hairline, in and behind the ears, on the eyebrows, around the nose, and on the chest.

Dandruff is a type of seborrheic dermatitis where there is a scaling of the skin on the scalp. The area can be dry or oily and is sometimes itchy.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. The diagnosis is made by the appearance of the rash.You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (a dermatologist).

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing seborrheic dermatitis because the cause is unknown. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, following treatment guidelines may help prevent a recurrence.

Risk Factors

Risk factors include having:

Oily skin or hair

Family members who have seborrheic dermatitis

Chronic conditions, including disorder of the immune system (eg, HIV infection )

Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or, less commonly, stroke

Symptoms

The symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They include:

Dry or greasy scaling of the scalp

Itchy scalp

Itchy, scaly rash with small pimples

Thickened, flaking skin

Reddened skin over the forehead and on either side of the nose

In babies less than one month old, seborrheic dermatitis may cause a thick, yellow, crusted scalp rash known as "cradle cap."

Treatment

Treatments for seborrheic dermatitis are usually applied directly to the skin in the form of shampoo or lotion. Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms.